POLICY ON COMPUTER USE

 The importance of computers, networks and telecommunications devices to learning is tremendous and it is the intention of the School Board to insure widespread access to these resources for students and staff. It is essential that the computers and networks be protected from the misuse and abuse by users so they can serve their instructional purpose. Engaging in behavior that damages communication equipment and/or programs or inferring with these resources by others will not be tolerated.

COMPUTER LAB USAGE:
Each school computer will have an established and posted set of rules specific for that lab. The instructor/facilitator for that lab shall explain and discuss these rules at the beginning of each instructional term.

COMPUTER RULES FOR COMPUTER USAGE:
The following guidelines apply for all computer usage in McDowell County Schools, and will help ensure that the computers are only used for curriculum and work related purposes. Other guidelines may be added at the discretion of the School Technology Committee.

Because types of offenses may vary, disciplinary problems will be classified as Level I, II or III, with penalties appropriate to the seriousness of the incidents.

In sections relating to penalties below, restriction of computer privileges means that the students will only be allowed to participate in closely-supervised, teacher led computer activities with the direct relevance to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study; no independent research or activity will be allowed.

LEVEL I:
Students may not:

• Have food and/or drink in close vicinity to computer equipment.
• Play games on school system computer equipment.
• Use computers without permission.
• Intentionally alter the desktop in any way, including adding/deleting icons, changing wallpaper or screen savers or setting or changing resolution.
• Intentionally disconnect any peripheral such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, monitor or speakers.
• Turn a computer off or on or restart it without permission.

 PRE-ESTABLISHED PENALTIES FOR LEVEL I OFFENSES:

1st Offense	Warning.
2nd Offense	Restriction of computer privileges for one year.
3rd Offense	Restriction of computer privileges for one year and parental notification.
4th Offense	Three days of In-School-Suspension and parental notification.

LEVEL II

Students may not:

• Intentionally access inappropriate materials on the Internet.
• Use communication applications, such as instant messaging, threaded discussions, and chat rooms unless directly related to classroom assignments and used with the knowledge and supervision of an instructor.
• Use e-mail for assignments given by instructors on independent research on colleges and universities. Foreign exchange students may e-mail correspondence with friends and family before school, and after school and during lunch breaks only.
• Use Internet without signed permission forms.
• Change or modify software any settings.
• Install, uninstall, or copy software unless serving as lab technicians and under the supervisions of an instructor.
• Possess virus-creating software, software containing sexually explicit graphics or violent content, or software designed to obtain passwords.
• Delete files, folders, or directories from a hard drive or floppy disk without the author's permission.
• Download files unless part of a class assignment.

PRE-ESTABLISH PENALTIES FOR LEVEL II OFFENSES:

1st Offense	Restrictions of computer privileges for one year, three days (3) In-School-Suspension and parental notification.
2nd Offense	Restrictions of computer privileges for one year, five (5) days In-School-Suspension and parental notification.
3rd Offense	Restriction of computer privileges for one year, five (5) days Out-of-School Suspension and parental notification.
4th Offense	Restricions of privileges for one year, ten (10) days Out-of-School Suspension and parental notification.

LEVEL III

Students may not:

• Delete or alter network files or configurations.
• Plant a virus on a network or run software designed to access passwords.
• Perform any act, which leads to significant damage to the network.

PRE-ESTABLISHED PENALTIES FOR LEVEL III OFFENSES:

1st Offense	Loss of computer privileges, ten (10) days Out-of-School Suspension and referral to law enforcement.
2nd Offense	Expulsion for 365 days, parental notification and referral to law enforcement.

NOTE:
If abuse of computers, peripherals or networks cause damage, which is permanent or requires repair is replacement, the student will be liable for any charges and may be subject to criminal prosecution.